An old 100 dollar bill in Cambodia, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap

In Cambodia I was in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

The old 100 dollars

I paid 30 dollars for the Cambodian visa. I had an old 100 dollar bill and that's what I gave them. They were pretty surprised and I had to wait for a while.

In Cambodia dollars are accepted everywhere, but they don't like old, torn or worn out bills. If you don't want to wait like I did, bring clean, new dollars and have the visa money ready as exactly 30 dollars.

What you need to know before going to Cambodia

Visa

• You can get a visa on arrival at the airport or at the border. The tourist visa is 30 dollars, and only cash dollars are accepted.
• Bring a passport photo with a white background.
• If you want, you can also get an e visa in advance on the official site, evisa.gov.kh. Rules and fees can change, check before you go.

Arrival card, e Arrival

• If you're coming by plane, you have to fill in a digital arrival card online within 7 days before you arrive.
• It's free. Only use the official site, arrival.gov.kh. Sites that ask for money are scams.
• If you arrive without it, you can fill it in on the tablets at the airport, but you may wait in a long line.

Money

• The official currency is the riel, but dollars are used everywhere. When you pay in dollars they may give you change in riel.
• Make sure your bills are clean and not torn.

Getting around and safety

• Tuk tuks are common in the cities. Agree on the price before you get in.
• The most common theft is someone on a motorbike grabbing your phone or bag as they pass. Don't hold your phone at the roadside, especially at night.
• Don't drink tap water, buy bottled water.

Temples

When you enter temples your knees and elbows must be covered. Inside you take off your shoes and hat, and when you sit you don't point your feet toward the Buddha statues.

Places to see

• Phnom Penh. The Royal Palace, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Heavy places, but necessary to understand the country's recent history.
• Siem Reap. Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm, the temple wrapped in tree roots.